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Life at St. Peters

St. Peter's has a diverse Parish life that provides fellowship, support and education. Please click on any of the following areas:

PARISH LIFE

ECW

The ECW at St. Peter's continues a long tradition of service to the parish, the community and beyond. The group meets on the third Wednesday of each month at the parish house in the afternoon. Outreach is one of their main responsibilities with several fundraisers during the year. They distribute the money at the end of the year to various charities. See the following link to the ECW.

ECM

This is Episcopal Church for Men a new group which started in May, 2011. See their page for details.

Fellowship

The Fellowship Committee's first program put in place was Fellowship Dinners and the dinners are being held during January, February and March and then again in August, September and October. Families are given the option to sign up and to specify if they will be dining at anothers home or if they will be the host for a dinner(s). Participants are assigned which dish to bring. The host family holds the option to invite additional guest especially in case there are newcomers in the church or communi. They also sponsor Coffee Hour the first Sunday of the month which is closer to a light Sunday luncheon after the 11am service. For more information see this link to Fellowship .

Outreach

The Outreach committee conducts various activities, including food distribution to Caroline Social Services, Community Dinners and a Jail Ministry. There are Special activities during the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons. Here is the Outreach section of the website

WORSHIP

Altar Guild

This dedicated group prepares the church for all worship services. They maintain the linens, arrange flowers, refill candles, polish the brass, and keep the church tidy before and after all services. See this link for more information about the guild.

Acolytes

This group lights the altar candle, carries the crucifer and the Gospel book. Training sessions are held periodically, the last one held Sunday, Feb 20, 2011 for about 7 people. See their page

Lectors

This group reads the scriptures each Sunday

LEMS

Distributed the wine to the parishioners. A position licensed by the Diocese

Greeters

This group organized in 2011 passes out bulletins in the front of the church and to lead people to Communion.

Music

The choir is small in head count but mighty in voice which adds so greatly to the dignity and vitality of our worship. The congregation participates enthusiastically in singing both hymns and responses. Brad Volland became our organist and choir director in October, 2010 succeeding Denise Symonds who retired in August, 2010. See their page.

EDUCATION

Christian Education

Children meet in the 2nd floor of the Parish House and Adults in the main floor, Sundays, 10am.

Adult Education

Adults meet periodically for special presentations, usually in Lent and Advent.

Wednesday Bible Study

This ecumenical group meets in the dining room each Wed at 10am. In the past they read the Lectionary.

EVENTS

Epiphany

The season of light from January 6 until Lent which begins with a special candlelight service.

Ladies Night Out

The men cook for the women which includes special entertainment afterwards. This is a major fund raiser for the church.

Easter

The season of Lent begins 40 days before Easter with the Pancake races and Shrove Tuesday Pancake supper. By giving up dairy products, people marked Jesus' 40 days and nights in the wilderness. So on Shrove Tuesday, stores of dairy products were used up in the pancake mix. During Lent there are special services, book groups, Adult Education which culminates in Holy Week before Easter. The town of Port Royal conducts an ecumenical sunrise service on Easter which is followed by St. Peter's Easter service.

July 4

A celebration of the day of Independence that is centered at St. Peter's. It features Colonial bands, local militias, the reading of the Declaration of Independence and an old style picnic.

Gospel of the Rivah

Come enjoy great music, fellowship and food with members from other churches in Port Royal. Old Time Gospel Sing preceded by food and drink

Christmas Play

This replaces worship the Sunday before Christmas. The whole congregation is involved in the play which retells the greatest story.

Lessons and Carols

A Celebration of Christmas scripture lessons and related carols similar to the British tradition.